The Harare talks, beginning Saturday and overseen by Thabo Mbeki, could lead to a deal this weekend, with opposition Movement for Democratic Change President Morgan Tsvangirai becoming prime minister, the BBC said, citing several South African newspapers.

Other reports said Mugabe would only surrender some executive powers and would seek to retain control of crucial state organs.

Neither government nor the MDC would disclose details of the talks Friday, nor would they say if the sides were near a deal to end Zimbabwe's political crisis.